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Last Updated:
Mar 19th, 2008 - 07:43:02 |
Best Tuesday Night:
Shoes House at Northern Lights Lounge
by B.J. Hammerstein | photo by Scott Spellman
Detroit soul comes from many places. It represents a feeling, history,
pain and desire … dreams. It is earned — and respected — and is
probably the most significant reason for all of us to love this city
the way we do. This year, like no other before it, was a time about the
city of Detroit — the spirit, music and people. And, really, out of
nowhere Tuesday nights at Northern Lights Lounge caught that vibe and
shared it with all who entered through its doors. Pure hip-hop being
celebrated: Shoes House is Detroit.
Hosted by House Shoes — after working with Northern Lights Lounge
owners Tom Moisides, Mike Solaka, William Steele — the hardworking DJ
with a history of spinning that real Detroit shit flipped Tuesday night
at Lights into the city’s best weekly practically over night “with no
flyers, no promos. By the fifth week 250 people …” Shoes explained
there wasn’t a set plan or anything, it just instantly popped: “I was
just trying to take everything up another level … when the chicks came
out I knew this was getting serious.”
Moisides, his partners and the fans of the music and night will have to
have a serious plan in place as Shoes revealed in June it is time for
him to move out of The D and go to Los Angeles. It’s tough for a
DJ/producer to make it in the dirty district and with the emotional
passing of Jay Dee in February, it seems everyone is looking at things
a little differently. Moisides and Shoes agreed in the end that they
both are interested in seeing the roots laid down on those Tuesday
nights continuing to grow. “The night has always been about a diverse
mix full of good people, good music, good drinks …” | RDW
Best Bar To Have Opened In The Last Year:
Centaur
2233 Park Ave., Detroit
313.963.4040
The new addition of Centaur to Detroit’s nightlife adds another
dimension of upscale quality to the city’s premium list of options.
Business entrepreneur Sean Harrington — who also owns the Town Pump
Tavern across the street — offers up a multi-level European-slanted art
deco lounge that caters to the eclectic, cool and highly stylish people
of The D. Shoot some pool, order some appetizers or have a martini —
Centaur has been voted the Best Bar To Have Opened In The Last Year for
an infinite amount of great reasons.
Best Looking Bartending Staff (Male & Female): Tequila Rain/Lucky Strike
photo by Geno Bisoni
44325 12 Mile Rd., Novi
248.380.3844 • www.tequilarainnovi.com
Wherever there is a mechanical bull, there is a good time waiting to
happen and not only that but there are usually some hotties to be
found. With the Tequila Rain complex, you also get the benefits of
Lucky Strike, and we’re bettin’ that you’ll get Lucky while you’re
bowlin’. Join the hottest bartending staff around, get good drinks and
flirt like crazy.
Best Jukebox: Gusoline Alley
photo by Guy Brown
309 S. Center St., Royal Oak
248.545.2235
For a one-night crash-course in what the cool kids are listening to,
drop yourself off at Gusoline Alley with a fistful of quarters. From
classics to cool new tunes, Gusoline's box has it all.
Best Bar To Get Yo’ Freak On: Wild Woody’s
photo by Guy Brown
32500 Gratiot Ave., Roseville
586.294.5331 • www.wildwoodys.com
“Wild” is the key word at Wild Woody’s. Bump, grind and bump some more
at this crazy Eastside hotspot. Mix in some tasty-good Wild Woody’s
drinks, frequent stops by the fun people at the WRIF and a bevy of hot
body competitions, homemade bikini contests and other sexy things of
that sort and Wild Woody’s is tough to beat.
Best Bar Makeover:
Clutch Cargo’s iLounge
photo by Christopher A. Jablonski
65 E. Huron St., Pontiac
248.333.2362 • www.ilounge1.com
This past year saw the downstairs section of the Pontiac party church
Clutch Cargo’s get an incredible re-design and total bar makeover. The
results are stunning: The new iLounge is an incredible addition to
metro Detroit’s thriving nightlife scene and with all these new cool
venue upgrades and re-vamped entertainment line-up the new venue should
stay hot for a long time to come.
Best Dance Club: Elysium
625 Shelby St., Detroit
313.962.2244 • www.elysium-lounge.com
This spacious bar, with its marble stairs and original stones remaining
from the bank it once was, has ceilings as high as the heavens and four
bars boasting bottles and bottles of all the stuff to have you feeling
like you’re walking on the clouds. Why walk through when you can dance
your way around or make room up near the dance floor to shake it? Come
by on a Friday night and you’ll hear the beats dropped by DJ Marquis
from hip-hop and R&B to booty and house. Saturday nights are a bit
of a different mix with DJs Mike Anthony and Phil Agosta spinning
progressive dance music.
Best Pub: O’Toole’s
Multiple locations
www.toolessportsbar.com
With its new location in Waterford, O’Toole’s is one of the most
accessible bars in metro Detroit. Real D readers voted it Best Pub for
a variety of reasons including great food, drinks, service and people.
Whether you go to catch the game, play a game or just hang out with
friends, O’Toole’s is the place to be.
Best Irish Bar: Dick O’Dows
160 W. Maple Rd., Birmingham
248.642.1135
It could be the traditional wooden décor and numerous tap beer
selections including Guinness that supply this Birmingham bar with its
authentic Irish feel, or maybe it’s just the feel good environment and
friendly O’service … Stop by on a weeknight for a low-key but
steady crowd, or come in on a Friday or Saturday for a packed house
having a fun time. From college kids to young executives to the
everyday regulars, Birmingham’s Dick O’Dows is the perfect mix for a
hip scene with an Irish twist.
Best Lounge: The Bosco
22930 Woodward Ave., Ferndale
248.541.8818 • www.thebosco.com
The bosco in Ferndale is a combination of cool attitude, modern spin
and hip lounge lifestyle. Brothers Daniel and Jeremy Haberman have
designed a night spot destination that is a sophisticated, entertaining
and amazing place to have a cocktail and chill. There is a tremendous
selection of drinks, from martinis to sake to beer, and the staff
inside is always willing and able. Known for its hospitality and cool
feel, The Bosco has even released two CDs featuring music and artists
highlighted at the lounge.
Best Cocktail Lounge: Double Olive
15130 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Park
313.823.8892
22027 Michigan Ave., Dearborn
313.359.5533
The Double Olive is a longstanding metro Detroit tradition that
combines all the best elements of a bar and lounge while still
producing a great venue for entertainment in an intimate setting. The
martini list goes on forever and it’ll be hard to find a better
selection of domestic and imported beers. Readers know they can count
on impeccable service and delicious drinks every time they enter Real
Detroit’s Best Cocktail Lounge.
Best Cocktail Lounge To Have Opened In The Last Year: Delux
350 Monroe St., Detroit
313.962.4200 • www.deluxlounge.com
Since opening, Delux Lounge has created a winning impression on metro
Detroit and Real Detroit readers. Delux has bridged the gap between the
pubs and clubs in Detroit, while adding a local lounge favorite to the
Greektown entertainment district. If you are looking for a place to
unwind and grab a cocktail or just wanna go out and get your drink on,
Delux offers some tasty concoctions like the Testarosa (Passoa Passion
fruit liqueur, Absolut, pineapple and cranberry juice). Great cocktails
from a cool venue make Delux a necessary destination.
Best Martini Bar: Blue Martini
201 Hamilton Ave., Birmingham
248.258.3005 • www.bluemartinimi.com
With so many martini bars trying to make their way in the world, it is
nice to have the tried, true and classic martini bar that is Blue
Martini. It’s comforting to visit the classic place that offers more
than 20 unique martinis, and a full bar which stocks another 40
varieties of fine wine and champagne. This upscale martini bar
certainly satisfies the craving for a premium night out.
Best Martini Bar To Have Opened In The Last Year: Dirty Martini
42705 Grand River Rd., Novi
248.348.4448
Combined with Second City Theatre and the Italian restaurant Andiamo,
the Dirty Martini Lounge is in a prime location offering up a whole
lotta something for everyone, every day of the week. Appetizers,
cigars, martinis (including Pomegranate and Lycheetini) and a wine list
of more than 100 varieties along with different themed-party nights
make the Dirty Martini a destination in itself. Oh, and the martinis
are spectacular …
Best Gay Bar: Backstreet
15606 Joy Rd., Detroit
313.838.6699
Whether you’re straight, gay, bi, transgender, metro-sexual or just
experimenting, Detroit’s Backstreet has been the Saturday night
tradition for, like, forever … With its open atmosphere and topless
male bartenders, you can always expect a great party and hot music.
Backstreet does it all — a great place for dancing, mingling or sitting
on the sidelines and watching the action happen.
Best Lesbian Bar: Stiletto’s
1641 Middlebelt Rd., Inkster
734.729.8980
Known for being a show bar with world-renowned talent, the Inkster
locale known as Stiletto’s is a historic gem in the lesbian and gay
community — with one side of the club built for career-launching
performances and the other side for dancing the night away. A relaxed
and friendly atmosphere as well as a longstanding party on
Saturday night makes Stiletto’s the Best Lesbian Bar among Real Detroit
readers.
Best Sports Bar: The Post
Multiple Locations
www.postbar.com
Detroit is a sports city. The city’s big four — Pistons, Red Wings,
Tigers and Lions — are adored by many and fans of the games know the
perfect spot to watch the home team while having a great time in any
one of the multiple Post locations. Of course, on game night it's a
whole ‘nother story and Wings fans will know the Congress location is
hallowed ground, while The Post in Auburn Hills is quickly becoming the
Pistons' second palace.
Best Piano Bar: JD’s Key Club
1 N. Saginaw St., Pontiac
248.338.7337 • www.jdskeyclub.com
JD’s is open Wednesday through Saturday, with those two days drawing
the biggest crowd. Wednesday night is college night; enjoy dollar
drafts, a dollar off all drinks and a packed house. The playlist is a
little bit newer on this night, but expect to hear the sing-along
classics that are crowd favorites. No patron is safe — be prepared to
be brought up on stage and serenaded by a dueler or put in the hot seat
(not without a good laugh). JD’s Key Club is the all-encompassing party
where people of all ages and backgrounds can always get together and
count on having a blast.
Best Billiards Hall: Fifth Avenue
Various locations
www.fifthavenuebilliards.com
With its three metro Detroit locations, Fifth Avenue is a great place
to hang with friends, meet new people and shoot a game of stick. An
emphasis on music (both live and DJs) differs night-by-night from
location-to-location, including The Reefermen and Killer Flamingos.
But, without a doubt, the combination of all the elements in a
billiards-hall setting makes the Fifth Avenue-trifecta best among Real
D readers.
Best Drag Bar: Gigi’s
16920 W. Warren Ave., Detroit
313.584.6525 • www.members.aol.com/gigisbar
Gigi’s is one of Michigan’s most awarded and exciting show bars, home
to many beautiful and glamorous queens and stage performers. However,
this legendary Detroit venue is so much more than only a drag bar as
Gigi’s continuously draws in a diverse crowd looking for a good time.
With hostesses Nickki Stevens and Jennifer Foxx holding down the
cabaret room on Saturday nights, you can always count on a winning time
at Gigi’s.
Best Corner Bar: Johnny G’s
27 N. Walnut St., Mt. Clemens
586.469.8388 • www.johnny-gs.com
Part of the sprawling entertainment Mecca at the Emerald Theater
complex, Johnny G’s is the happening bar on the corner. The second
floor, dubbed the G Spot, is a first rate nightclub, where the Clem’s
hottest strut their stuff. Add to that a great collection of liquor and
a varied menu, and it’s easy to see why Johnny G’s gets love from the
Real D readers.
Best Bar At Midnight: Boogie Fever
22901 Woodward Ave., Ferndale
248.541.1600 • www.boogiefevercafe.com
Ferndale’s Boogie Fever is like stepping into a time machine back to
the glory days of disco. It’s dance, dance, dance all night to your
favorite ‘70s and ‘80s feel-good dancing tunes. The café and disco is
always packed, making it a premium city nightspot at midnight.
Best Bar At Last Call: Town Pump Tavern
100 W. Montcalm St., Detroit
313.961.1929 • www.thetownpumptavern.com
The Town Pump Tavern is the sort of place that has a laid-back, smoky
charm with its wood-paneled walls, oversized booth cushions and
conversation-friendly ambience. That’s why Real D readers thinks it’s
the perfect place to get the last drink of any evening. The Pump has
atmosphere, class and plenty of beer and alcohol selections. How could
you go wrong?
Best VIP Area: Elysium
625 Shelby St., Detroit
313.962.2244 • www.elysium-lounge.com
The term “Elysium” might be used in reference to a pleasurable place or
a blissful state. In ancient Greek mythology, Elysium is the place
where the blessed unite after they die. Here in Detroit, Elysium is the
state-of-being where the VIP-accustomed A-listers go to party the night
away. The VIP experience at Elysium Lounge includes multiple areas,
tableside bottle service and the option of keeping the party (a little
more) private or being the center of attention.
Best Bar To Run Into A Band: The Majestic/Magic Stick/Garden Bowl
4120-4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit
313.833.9700 • www.majesticdetroit.com
With the Majestic, the Garden Bowl, the Magic Stick, the Majestic Cafe
and Sgt. Pepperoni’s it is easy to see why Detroit music fans have
established a home here. With local and national acts playing
constantly it is a great place to head for some cutting edge music and
a cool time plus you’ll more than likely run into a musician from the
scene.
Best Bathroom: Northern Lights Lounge
660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit
313.873.1739
Ahh, yes … the bathroom situation. Real Detroit readers often use them
and en masse appeal the votes have come back declaring the New Center’s
Northern Lights Lounge as the best in the city. Maybe it’s the privacy,
possibly it’s the décor and cleanliness — whatever the factors, the
readers have recognized.
Best Beer Selection: Ye Olde Tap Room
14915 Charlevoix St., Detroit
313.824.1030
In the mood to try a Japanese rice beer? How about a Scottish beer
called Skull Splitter? Or perhaps you want to sip a Weihenstephaner, a
German beer being brewed since 1040 AD? Maybe just a longneck of Bud, a
PBR or some Guinness draught? All these options and so many more earn
Ye Olde Tap Room this Best of Detroit award.
Best Draft Beer Selection: Berkley Front
3087 12 Mile Rd., Berkley
248.547.3331
With more than 40 choice selections on tap, the Berkley Front
definitely does not have a shortage of beer. With most selections of
ales and lagers written on a chalkboard on the wall, it may be best to
start at the top and work your way down. With live music often, it is a
great place to kick back and have a pint … or five.
Best Liquor Selection: Corner Bar
100 Townsend St., Birmingham
248.594.6272
As part of the Birmingham world-class facility the Townsend Hotel, The
Corner Bar is the perfect place to pamper all your nightlife desires.
With a top collection of cocktails and brands — including premier
vodkas like Ciroc, a bevy of aged single malts and a plethora of
specialized cocktails — not to mention a menu that also boasts 14
premium cigars, the Corner Bar is a decadent dream.
Best Place To Hear Alternative Music: Luna Lounge
1815 N. Main St., Royal Oak
248.589.3344 • www.lunaroyaloak.com
From the legendary days of 3-D to today’s lovely Luna dancers, Luna
Lounge at 12 and Main is the capital of alternative music for suburban
Detroiters. Tuesdays feature the legendary Video Appreciation Night,
Thursdays are all about the ‘80s, and Fridays and Saturdays are
alternative dance … With a stellar entertainment/music lineup every
night of the week, this is the king of alternative.
Best Pick-Up Scene: Sky Club (Sangria)
401 S. Lafayette Ave., Royal Oak
248.543.1964 • www.sangriaroyaloak.com
There’s a whole lotta sexy shakin’ going on at Sangria and its upstairs
Sky Club in Royal Oak. With Wednesday and Thursday nights dedicated to
Salsa nights (with free dance lessons) and the weekend nights
consistently being one of the hottest places in the city, Sky Club is
the place to look for love.
Best Drink Prices: Small’s
10339 Conant, Hamtramck
313.873.1117 • www.smallsbardetroit.com
With all of the live music that is happening inside Hamtramck’s
Small’s, sometimes it is easy forget that this is also the perfect
place to hang out and have some inexpensive drinks. Featuring $2 PBR
drafts seven nights a week and daily specials, head out for a show and
count on getting a great deal on a drink.
Best Bar To Grind With A Member Of The Opposite Sex: Tiki Bob’s Cantina
25 S. Saginaw St., Pontiac
248.335.6100 • www.tikibobspontiac.com
It’s spring break all the time at Pontiac’s Tiki Bob’s, and that makes
it the perfect place to hook up and get down. This oasis for the young
and frisky has that beach party vibe, so grab a girl or a guy and live
for the moment.
Best Bar Décor: Posh
22061 Woodward Ave., Ferndale
248.541.7674 • www.poshnightclub.com
For two years running, Real Detroit readers have recognized the stylish
folks behind Ferndale’s Posh Ultra Lounge as having the Best Bar Décor.
A combination of elegance, ambiance, cool-comfort and incredible music
and drinks makes for a night club setting like no other, and Posh
definitely looks good while working it.
Best College Night: Tiki Bob’s Cantina
25 S. Saginaw St., Pontiac
248.335.6100 • www.tikibobspontiac.com
Who needs school when there’s college night at the club? Everyone knows
college nights are some of the hottest and wildest parties in the city
— where the energetic dance party is only secondary to the lovely young
coeds running around the club. With ladies in free until 10:30 p.m.,
Channel 95.5 hosting and specials on Labatt until midnight it’s a great
time.
Best Bar On Monday Night: Woodward Avenue Brewers
22646 Woodward Ave., Ferndale
248.546.3696
Real Detroit readers spend a lot of time and money going out and with
that in mind it’s great to know that a casual yet cool Monday night at
Woodward Avenue Brewers in Ferndale offers up half-off food specials
making this one of the premier nights in town. Of course the grub
tastes even better when listening to those fine tunes from the
selections made off that killer jukebox.
Best Bar On Wednesday Night: Sevin, The Nightclub
40 W. Pike St., Pontiac
248.745.7461 • www.sevinthenightclub.com
Mike Scroggs and DJ Godfather have been working hard Wednesday nights
for a while now, definitely earning their self-described title of “The
only place to be on Wednesday night.” Spinning the hottest club hits
and hip-hop joints, Vain at Sevin the nightclub on Wednesday nights is
certainly one of the most fun ways to conclude your Hump Day action.
Best Bar On Thursday Night: Club Divine
23 N. Washington St., Ypsilanti
734.485.4444 • www.club-divine.com
Everyone knows that Thursday night is “bar night” — the perfect
opportunity to get a jump on the weekend’s fun. And over in the
Ypsilanti-entertainment district is the weekly Club Divine Thursday
Ladies Night party featuring music by DJs Joey A and Ricky T.
Best Bar On Friday Night: The Emerald Ballroom
31 N. Walnut St., Mount Clemens
586.913.1920 • www.emeraldtheatre.com
The new Fahrenheit Fridays are a hit at the Emerald Ballroom, and with
WRIF’s Suzy Cole hosting along with the music mastery of DJ Mike
Scroggs, Real Detroit readers fill the club for the city’s biggest and
baddest Friday night.
Best Bar On Saturday Night: Altered State At State Theatre
2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit
313.961.5450 • www.statetheaterdetroit.com
The historic State Theatre in Detroit definitely has seen its share of
amazing live concerts, but when it come to clubbin’ in The D the
longstanding Saturday night continues with the venue’s Altered State.
Featuring a wide variety of musical entertainment, promotions and
talent this Motor City destination has been a favorite for Real Detroit
readers forever.
Best Bar On Sunday Night: Tonic Nightclub
29 S. Saginaw St., Pontiac
248.334.7411 • www.tonicdetroit.com
Sexy Sundays at Tonic Nightclub hosted by Channel 95.5 is the place to
be before the workweek starts. With three dance floors and awesome
music on every level, it’s impossible to beat this Sunday night
destination. Nick Craig, Michelle Taylor, DJ Melle Mel, Ryan Richards,
DJ Timmy D and DJ Trip all host.
Best Bar To Celebrate Your 21st Birthday: Envy
234 W. Larned St., Detroit
313.962.ENVY
Where better to spend a night that you may not remember in the morning
than one of the hottest bars in town? Envy is a great place to mix,
mingle and have a blast on that most important birthday of your sweet
life. Certainly one of Detroit’s most eclectic and cool clubs, Real D’s
young readers are looking forward to the night when they get to do it
legally.
Best Bar On Halloween: The Emerald Ballroom
31 N. Walnut St., Mt. Clemens
586.913.1920 • www.emeraldtheatre.com
Metro Detroiters are possessed with the creepy spirit of Halloween.
People of all ages just love the witching season and getting dressed up
for the costume party of the year. And, according to Real D readers,
the Emerald Ballroom is the biggest and best of all the city’s wild
parties. Last year the Emerald came with some heat with a massive
$3,000 prize to the best costume — might not be a bad idea to plan that
winning outfit now.
Best Bar On St. Patrick’s Day: Old Shillelagh
349 Monroe St., Detroit
313.964.0007 • www.oldshillelagh.com
The Old Shillelagh is the standard to which all local Irish pubs are
measured. No gimmicks like green beer or any of that blarney, just 20
beers on tap and tall pints all around. No wonder the bar is standing
room only on St. Patty’s Day beginning at 9 a.m. The Shillelagh is
warm, friendly and full of alcohol, just like any self-respecting
Irishman.
Best Happy Hour: Shores Inn
23410 Greater Mack Ave., St. Clair Shores
586.773.8940
Happy hour is here on the Eastside’s Shores Inn. Starting at just the
right happy hour of 3 p.m. and going straight through to 6 p.m., Shores
Inn features a buck off all drinks and appetizers. Forget about all of
your co-workers and all the misery of the 9-5 — take off at 2:45 p.m.
and make that 3 p.m. start up time. Work never sounded better.
Best Happy Hour Buffet: Rosie O’Grady’s
Multiple locations
www.4rosieogradys.com
Food and drink is really all you need and with Rosie O’Grady’s offering
up a complimentary happy hour buffet from 2-7 p.m. the drinking sure
got a whole lot better. Each day has a different theme: BBQ Mondays,
German Tuesdays, Irish Wednesdays, Mexican Thursdays and Hawaiian
Fridays all feature tasty recipes with a theme and accompanying drink
specials to make the consumer one happy person for one hour or many.
Best Bar On The Water: Beach Grill
24420 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores
586.771.4455 • www.beachgrill.net
The Nautical Mile is full of great places to visit on the water, but
with 5,000 square feet of waterfront deck, what what better place to
spend a summer night then at the Beach Grill? With dock access, boat
owners and friends can pull right up to the Beach Grill to party away
inside on their awesome dance floor, or they can stay right outside on
the deck. This place is the perfect summer location; fun, fast-paced
and a great atmosphere add up to make this the Best Bar On The Water.
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